I have been trying to get a spare moment alone with my notebook from the conference so I could put together something for both of my readers, but it just has not happened. I'll do that later, but right now I will focus on what stuck with me.
Number one is that the music "industry" is getting ready to change much faster than anyone expects. The common songwriter's goal of signing a publishing deal may not be what it once was (if that whole model even exists 5 years from now.) The times are changing, just take a look at how the major labels have left writers out in the cold with the Myspace Music deal. (Maybe more on that later, I just don't have the desire to dive into that right now)
Another is that no matter what happens in the industry, good music will still survive. The channels by which you discover it may change, but good music lives on.
I think one thing that profoundly impacted me was a discussion in Joel's Song Painting class. Yes, I have been to it three times, but it is a different experience every time. This time Kyle Matthews attended as well, adding additional insight to the class. The biggest thing that Joel mentioned was that as he unpacked all of his plaques during his recent cross country move something profound occurred to him. He realized that all of his hits seemed so disposable. He shared a story about a songwriting class he was in years ago where a very accomplished writer stated something to the effect of, "Don't write hits, write classics." Kyle stated that you don't realize the impact of that statement until you actually have a hit.
Come to think of it, Joel also stated that he doesn't want plaques, he wants letters. The letters about how a song helped them through a rough time, comforted them in despair, strengthened them in weakness. That totally hit home with me. It took me back to the whole reason I fell in love with songwriting. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
The concert was unlike any that I have ever been to. Incredible writers, amazing songs, a perfect night. Scott Krippayne's voice is absolutely awesome, but Kyle Matthews is my new hero. Serious. I told Sue later that evening that I easily could have soaked that in for another 2 hours. She agreed.
I didn't come back on suicide watch like after the October conference. (I actually didn't, but you would have thought so from some of the comments) OK, I almost threw myself out of my hotel window after the Saturday concert, but I figured the building wasn't tall enough.
This post is getting too long. The rest of my comments will have to wait.
Number one is that the music "industry" is getting ready to change much faster than anyone expects. The common songwriter's goal of signing a publishing deal may not be what it once was (if that whole model even exists 5 years from now.) The times are changing, just take a look at how the major labels have left writers out in the cold with the Myspace Music deal. (Maybe more on that later, I just don't have the desire to dive into that right now)
Another is that no matter what happens in the industry, good music will still survive. The channels by which you discover it may change, but good music lives on.
I think one thing that profoundly impacted me was a discussion in Joel's Song Painting class. Yes, I have been to it three times, but it is a different experience every time. This time Kyle Matthews attended as well, adding additional insight to the class. The biggest thing that Joel mentioned was that as he unpacked all of his plaques during his recent cross country move something profound occurred to him. He realized that all of his hits seemed so disposable. He shared a story about a songwriting class he was in years ago where a very accomplished writer stated something to the effect of, "Don't write hits, write classics." Kyle stated that you don't realize the impact of that statement until you actually have a hit.
Come to think of it, Joel also stated that he doesn't want plaques, he wants letters. The letters about how a song helped them through a rough time, comforted them in despair, strengthened them in weakness. That totally hit home with me. It took me back to the whole reason I fell in love with songwriting. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
The concert was unlike any that I have ever been to. Incredible writers, amazing songs, a perfect night. Scott Krippayne's voice is absolutely awesome, but Kyle Matthews is my new hero. Serious. I told Sue later that evening that I easily could have soaked that in for another 2 hours. She agreed.
I didn't come back on suicide watch like after the October conference. (I actually didn't, but you would have thought so from some of the comments) OK, I almost threw myself out of my hotel window after the Saturday concert, but I figured the building wasn't tall enough.
This post is getting too long. The rest of my comments will have to wait.
2 comments:
Both of your readers?
Do you count lurkers who never comment on anything, but just read everything, and hide out in the background, happy for you that you got to go to the WAJ One-Day in Nashville, yet still wishing he could have gone too, instead of being stuck up in Minnesota, and floating the idea to his wife about someday moving closer to Nashville, then realizing it probably wasn't a good idea to mention that particular thought to his beloved since her family is all up here in Minnesota, but at least we're still planning to go to WAJ again in October, Lord willing?
Hi Rob! Make that three readers. We have all lurked at one time or another. Just glad you took the plunge and commented. Hope to see you in October!
JRod
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